Annotated Bibliography On Vulnerability

This paper will review different styles of research design along with how different variables within research can be measured.

For this research article the author has chosen to use a grounded theory approach. Grounded theory is a qualitative method of research which allows the researchers to construct meaning of the selected topic via a process of development and reflection of the data collected (Charmaz, 2014). Grounded theory provides a flexible and intuitive process to data collection and analysis allowing the construction of a theory that is truly grounded from the data (Charmaz, 2014).

Willig, C., 2001. Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology: Adventures in theory and method. Buckingham: Open University

Also, Strauss and Corbin (1998) described important characteristics of grounded theorists. The main purpose of grounded theory methodology design is theory creation. But, the existing theories can be also expanded and challenging (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2010). Qualitative researchers is also based on the constructivist perspective and it uses theory inductively b starting with a general area of interest, gathering data, ask questions, forming categories from the data, and describing processes. Also, by developing a theory or even comparing what may be discovered with existing theories as well (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2010). Qualitative research differs from quantitative research because it is characterized by the use of large samples, standardized measures, deductive approach and highly structured interview instruments to gather data for the hypotheses testing (McRoy, 1988). Qualitative research is more likely to be referred as a naturalistic research or inquiry for everyday

Stemming from the humanities, narrative research is considered adequate to understand the meanings with which people make up the world (Creswell, 2018). In this sense, the study of stories allows us to understand the meanings that are expressed, organized and created in them. Another reason that justifies this type of research is that the narratives allow to illuminate to a large extent the personal thing. In fact, stories that people tell are useful because they provide information about the internalized worlds of themselves or others, allowing researchers to delve into the lived experiences of people in the postmodern world (Riessman, 2008).

Grounded theory is a highly popular methodology for qualitative analysis (Gibbs 2010), since its original inception or “discovery” (Glaser and Strauss 1967) has developed into many alternative schools. For brevity and the purpose of this essay, the author will only consider the Glaserian form of Grounded Theory which was described originally by Glaser and Strauss (1967) and continues to be defended as the only true and classical form of Grounded theory by Glaser today (Glaser 2009).

Research design is the approach that the researcher utilizes apparatuses of a study to collect, analyze, and interpret data. There are three types of research designs: (a) qualitative – captures the description of the event that is taking place by the means of interviews and observation; (b) quantitative – employs statistical measures to interpret data taken from surveys; and (c) and mixed method – uses both qualitative and quantitative designs for an more in-depth study (Creswell, 2014; Stangor, 2014). This paper will focus on the comparison and contrast qualitative and quantitative design in relation to the selected journals.

“Qualitative research focuses on gaining insight and understanding about an individual’s perception of events” (Nieswiadomy, 2012). There are six common qualitative designs: phenomenological, ethnographic, grounded theory, historical, case study, and action research. Phenomenological studies are based on human “lived” experiences and what the experience means to the person being studied. The researcher has to put aside their own personal ideas or belief systems in order for them to be able to concentrate on the person in the study. Ethnographic studies which was used in this study, the researchers went in to the “field” to observe people of various cultures and ethnicities interacting together in their own environment. “Ethnographers study how people live and how they communicate with each other”

Creswell (2013) contends that “we need to identify our approach to qualitative inquiry in order to present it as a sophisticated study, to offer it as a specific type so that reviewers can properly assess it, and…to offer some way of organizing ideas that can be grounded in the scholarly literature of qualitative research” (p. 69). Although I believe all three arguments cited by the author are important, this week’s readings and discussion emphasized the third reason in particular. Indeed, reviewing the five approaches provided me with ideas regarding how to investigate and explore the topic. Although I am still struggling with some of the details and aspects, a rough framework is

Ritchie, J and Lewis, J (2003) Qualitative Research Practice a guide to Social Science Students and Researchers. London: Sage Publications.///////////////////////////////////////////////

Cooper, Donald R. and Schindler, Pamela S. Business Research Methods. New York: Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 2014. Print.

References: Main Text: Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2012). Research Methods for Business Students, 6th Edition. London: Pearson Education Limited.

Merriam and Tisdell (2016) listed six common research designs in qualitative research, including “basic qualitative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, narrative analysis, and qualitative case study” (p. 23). The authors stated that the basic qualitative research design encompasses the characteristics of all other qualitative research designs, and are common in the field of education and administration. Basic qualitative research as defined by Merriam and Tisdell (2016) is a method grounded in constructivism and seeks to understand how participants ascribe meanings to phenomenon. Additional

Qualitative research is defined as “ a form of social enquiry that focuses on the way people interpret and make sense of their experience and the world in which they live,” (Holloway and Wheeler, 2002:30). Researchers use this approach in exploring behaviours, perspectives, experiences and feelings of people with more emphasis on understanding these

The fundamental aim behind dividing the methodology chapter into these sections is to clearly reveal all the problems as well as aspects of the research and application so that it can be proven to be practical, beneficial as well as well-designed (Cohen, Manion and Morrison, 2000). Also, this division allows the researcher to offer a sensible as well as exploratory abstract of the overall aims and objectives of the research study as described in the "research process onion" model introduced by Saunders et al. (2003, p.83).